International help to improve air and water

PHUKET TOWN: The city of Boston, Massachusetts, and Phuket Town will cooperate in efforts to reduce air pollution, Phuket Town Mayor Phummisak Hongsyok announced yesterday. The mayor made his announcement after returning from the World Congress of the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives held in Athens, Greece, earlier this month. At the convention, 502 people from 68 countries discussed many development issues, including climate protection, water management, sustainable tourism and “eco-efficient” cities. Mayor Phummisak explained that Boston and Phuket will coordinate efforts to improve air quality in Phuket Town with a campaign to reduce air pollution. “A Boston representative requested that Phuket Town become a ‘sister city’ under the Cities for Climate Protection project, which will begin early next year,” he said. Mayor Phummisak also announced a 5-million-baht project, funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Economic Affairs, to improve the town’s water supply. Over the next six months, four consultancies – Netherlands-based Royal Haskoning Co and Matrix Associates, and Thai companies East Water Co and Chatchawan De Veger International Co – will work with the Phuket Town Municipality to conduct research into the long-term development of the town’s water supply. Ths study will include ways to improve the quality of mains water to standards set by the World Health Organization for “general” use, the development of water resources to meet future demand, the reduction of water loss through leaks, and the reduction of costs for water distribution. “We hope this project will be finished in the first quarter of 2004,” Mayor Phummisak said.